The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-06-03
MONDAYS EXERCISES.

For several years it has been the Gus
tom for the Normal graduating classes
to plant trees in the Normal Park as
representing the life and growth of the
class. Following the example of col
leges, an interesting programme Of eN-
ercises, in connection with the planting
of the tree, is carried out by the class
one day during commencement week.
AS matter of fact, the tree is planted a
month before commencement week;
but, nevertheless, the exercises are just
as interesting as if the tree was planted
at the same time. This year the class
chose an elm tree.
The exercises are usually held in the
open air in front of the building, but, as
the day was rather chilly, they were
held Monday in Normal Hall. BY two
o'clock the Hall was filed with students
and friends of the school. The meeting
was called to order promptly ut 2 o'clock
by the class president, Mr.. Jesse Van
Valkenburgh who acted as master ofcere-
monies. The graduating class occupied
the stage and was so large as to nearly
fill it.
After explaining that the class had
been disappointed in obtaining the mu-
sic, the president announced
THE CLASS HISTORY
by Miss Addie Handley, the class
historian:
Friends and Pelow-Students: The class of
80 extends to you a cordial greeting. The
years and months of our school life here have
followed each other in rapid succession, bear
ing with them the remembrance OF many busy
and pleasant hours. To-day with hearts filled
with hopes for the future, yet sorrowful that
our student life.
It would be impossible to describe all the
pleasures the class have enjoyed during their
school course-the kind friends-the instruc-
ton of the faithful teachers, and the hearty
sympathy with which they have extended the
helping hand. We feel IL to be beiitting to ex-
tend our thanks and gratitude to these friends.
Through dire necessity IL has fallen 10 the
lot of the writer to rescue from Oblivion the
mighty deeds of yalor, the memory of former
incidents, and to render Just tribute Of re-
nown to the many and wonderful achievements
of the far famed class of 80. The labor is too
great for mortal; but moved by an animating
spirit like many another who thinks to render
a name famous by a production worthy ITO
adorn moral or paint tale" the present
task was undertaken.
In short time these reverend Seniors and
profound AS will be gathered TO their fathers
and mothers, and will be engaged In the vari-
ous pursuits of life. They will forget the
events of the past, and the valorous deeds of
school life will sink into oblivion. Such has
been the tate of less iliustrious persons--be-
fore us. Through the lack Of an historian
their deeds have been forgotten.
There having been nc recorded history
hitherto, tradition has II that Zeus sent forth a
decree to all the people of the surrounding
country. saying, "Gather together your
sons and daughters Of the cream OF the land
and send them 10 the wise ones of Mankato
Normal. that they may acquire all WISDOM
knowledge, and methods" Many came I'm re-
Spouse 10 the summons. A large number
have gone out before Us, and now the ilustri.
Gus thirty-four before you having completed
the course and fully perfected themselves %
by diligent practice in the Model School, are
ready TO "leave the camp and enter the field.
Some OF us have been in the school several
years; others only few months; and, mirab-
lie dfctu--the one who has been with US the